Semuliki National Park
Semuliki National Park is a Uganda safari park lying in Bwamba County, the remotest side of Bundibugyo District. The park is set in western Uganda and as a National Park, it was created in 1993 after it upgraded from being a forest reserve in 1932. It is bordered by Lake Albert in the Northern part and on the South-eastern part, there is Rwenzori Mountains. At its boundaries, there are also 2 scenic rivers –Semuliki and Lamia Rivers.
Semuliki National Park encompasses 220sq.km and shelters the only East African lowland tropical rainforest. This is one of the most endowed rainforest parks in terms of faunal and floral species, birdlife and butterflies. It is one of the protected areas that is managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Where is Semuliki found?
Semuliki is lying on the border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). To the South-east, there is Rwenzori Mountains National Park and on the North, Lake Albert. This is one of the Ugandan National Parks located along the Albertine rift valley area and features gently undulating landscape with altitudinal range of 670 and 760 meters.
The park protects the lush extension of the Ituri Forest and this natural forest expands from the River Zaire. Its existence makes Semuliki N/Park home to diverse Central Africa animal and plant species. It is a distinct Uganda safari park not only in Uganda, but also across Tanzania and Kenya.
Faunal & floral species
Semuliki National Park is a unique destination with diverse ecosystem. It is dominated by the Albertine rift ecosystems and its vegetation comprise of medium altitude moist evergreen, semi deciduous forest. The plant species include the Uganda ironwood and also consist of species of trees that are more evergreen and swamp forests. Over 441 bird species make Semuliki a significant birding location and over 216 of them are true forest avifaunal species. These include 9 hornbill species, the unique oberlander’s ground thrush, Sassi’s olive greenbul and others.
Wildlife
More than 53 mammal species are protected within the Semuliki National Park and include the pygmy scaly-tailed flying squirrels, African buffaloes, hippos, Mona monkeys, African civet, bush babies, 9 duiker species, African elephants, leopards, water chevrotain, 8 primate species, etc. Semuliki Park’s primates include chimpanzees, olive baboons, DeBrazza’s monkeys, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, galagos, pottos, and others.
Birds
Semuliki N. Park is one of the leading birding destinations in Uganda, holding up to 441 species of birds and 67% of them are forest bird species. The park’s birds include the Congo serpent eagle, blue-headed crested flycatchers, Dwarf honey guide, purple-breasted sunbird, capuchin babblers, black-wattled hornbill, Sassi’s olive greenbul, lyre-tailed honey guide, white-tailed hornbill, orange weaver, forest ground thrush, Nkulengu rail, long-tailed hawks, red-thighed sparrow hawk, and more.
Amazing things to do in Semuliki NP
Semuliki has plenty for tourists to explore and experience. It is one of the untapped destinations offering authentic wilderness experiences. The park’s activities range from forest walks to game viewing as well as cultural encounters in the Bamba & Bakonjo communities.
Tour the Sempaya hot springs
Semuliki National Park is most popular for its 2 scenic hot springs – the Nyasimbi and Bintente hot springs. These are the world’s most powerful hot springs and they can be observed boiling and water bubbling several meters high. At one kilometer, you can see these natural wonder. The male hot spring is known as Bintente and has a diameter of over 12 meters while the female is called Nyasimbi.
Nature/forest walks
Forest walks introduce you deep into the jungles of Semuliki’s unique vegetation. This is a rich location to find butterflies, birds, primates and floral species. The park features 3 well-established walking trails and includes the red-monkey track 11km, Sempaya nature trail 8km and Kirumia hiking/walking trail which is 13km.
Game viewing
Semuliki National Park isn’t known for its amazing primate encounters alone, but also for its exceptional wildlife viewing experiences. Over 53 mammal species live in the park and there are 3 main game tracks to explore leading you through the park’s savanna plains. Day and night game drives are enjoyable while on Uganda safaris in Semuliki National Park and important animal sightings range from buffaloes, elephants, leopard to small antelopes.
Tour the Semuliki River
The Semuliki River stretches 160km and it is renowned as a muddy forest river, the main water source to the River Nile. It is also an ideal location to see hippos, crocodiles and many bird species. This river flows through forests and rift valley area.
Chimpanzee encounter
Some of the Semuliki National Park’s chimpanzee communities have been habituated by the Indiana University and can be visited. On a chimpanzee trek, your trek also comes with exceptional views of other primates including the grey-cheeked mangabeys, red colobus monkeys, olive baboons, Dent’s Mona monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, etc.
Birding
Birding in Semuliki comes with astonishing bird sights of forest birds and central African species. The available birds to identify on birding tour in Uganda’s Semuliki National Park include the African dwarf kingfishers, black dwarf hornbill, African piculet, chestnut-breasted negro finches, black-collared lovebird, chestnut-flanked goshawk, African goshawk, bate’s nightjars, red-thighed sparrow, chocolate-backed, Gabon woodpeckers, white-spotted fluff tails, red-belied malimbes, shoebill storks, African wood owl, spotted lyre-tailed honey guide, lemon-bellied crombec, red-billed dwarf, western bronze-napped pigeon, white-bellied kingfishers, grey ground thrushes, spot-breasted ibis, red-sided broadbill, yellow-throated nicator, buff-spotted fluff tails, red-rumped tinker bird, and more.
Cultural interaction & tours
Semuliki National Park tours also offer you a great opportunity to explore and experience unique cultures, traditions and dances from local residents. The park is surrounded by the Batwa and Bakonjo communities each offering unique cultural experiences.
Lodging options in and around Semuliki N/Park
Fewer accommodation options exist in the park, but most hotels are available in Fort Portal tourism city and Bundibugyo town. The main areas for guest stay on Uganda safaris in Semuliki include Campsites & bandas by the Uganda Wildlife Authority –UWA, Semliki Safari Lodge, Ntoroko Game Lodge, Hotel Vanilla and Kirimia Guesthouse.
The best time to travel to Semuliki for a tour
It is possible to organize a Uganda tour to Semuliki NP at any time of the month or year. But the most ideal months are the dry months of the year, that is June, July, August & September –when the ground is relatively drier making it easier driving through the park on game viewing or trekking through the park to see primates. Some parts of the park become flooded, especially during the wet or rainy months –October to November.
Getting to Semuliki for safari holiday
There are 2 options for guests to access Semuliki National Park; traveling by road or air. By road, it is about 300 kilometer drive from Kampala through Fort Portal tourism city. Driving via Masaka-Mbarara means you can even pay a visit to other parks like Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and other sites like the equator crossing. By air, you can leave Entebbe airport or Kajjansi airfield to Semliki airstrip/Kasese airstrip and transfer to Semuliki NP.